Although Israel has not – as it usually does in such cases – take responsibility for the murderous blow, everyone appreciates that its “long hand” acted once again. In many political and diplomatic circles in the Arab world as well as in the West, there is a great climate of concern about the possible evolution of the current situation into a total war.
Some Arab states, Turkey, the Taliban in Afghanistan, but also the radicalized organizations supported by Tehran show and accuse the Jewish state of hitting Haniya’s residence, (probably with a drone or missile).
It is the fourth strike by the Israelis in two weeks, after those against the deputy head of the Hamas military wing Mohammed Daif in Gaza, the long-range airstrike on the Houthi rebels in Hodeidah, Yemen, and also yesterday’s attack in Beirut against a high-ranking Hezbollah operative Fuad Soukr.
In less than 24 hours, the Israelis hit two states, and even in their capitals. Analysts point out that in the last 10 months, Tehran has been showing “security gaps”, which raise questions.
Hamas has described the killing of its political leader, Ismail Haniya, as a serious escalation that will not go unanswered.. His killing in Iran will be seen as a major blow to efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, as talks brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt over the Israeli hostages are progressing relatively slowly.
Haniya had long served as head of Hamas’s political bureau and was considered a moderate figure within the movement, whose role was vital in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza.
He was elected head of the political wing in 2017, before leaving Gaza for self-imposed exile in Qatar (two years later). From exile he became the face of the Palestinian organization’s international diplomacy, moving between Turkey, Iran and Qatar, while joining a group of Hamas leaders who are housed in Doha and cannot return to Gaza.
Even so, Haniya was seen as a key point of contact with hardline figures such as Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from Ramallah called the killing a “cowardly act and a serious escalation”.
Erdogan and the Turkish Foreign Ministry described the killing as “heinous”, with the Turkish president calling him “his brother” and sharply criticizing the Israeli action.
THREATENING IRAN…
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said the slain Hamas leader’s blood “will not go to waste”, while diplomatic analysts said the deadly attacks in Tehran and Beirut would put Jewish lives at risk. Qatar unequivocally condemned the killing of Haniya in the strongest possible terms, arguing that any chances for peace are being mortgaged.
AND HEZBOLLAH
Hezbollah argued that Haniya’s killing would strengthen the resistance group’s resolve against Israel, while former Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezaei echoed the same sentiment. “Israel will pay a heavy price,” he said. Yemen’s Houthis have called Haniya’s killing a “terrorist crime”.
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